Hooping Harbour: Even though Hooping Harbour no longer exists as a community, its town folks having been "resettled", it is a good example of a name that is related to an occupation. According to Hamilton (1996), Hooping Harbour was originally known by the French fishermen that frequented the area in the as "Sans Fond'''' or "Sansfond meaning "without bottom", a reference to the deep water of the harbour. When the French were expelled (that story will unfold in upcoming Chapters) the English, named it Hooping Harbour, a reference to the putting on of "hoops" around casks and barrels. Why? Who knows? Maybe the residents just liked the sound of the name. In 1969 when the townsfolk of Hooping Harbour were "resettled", some of the original houses where barged north to the town of Roddickton-Bide Arm, where they have been going under restoration. One, Ashton House is open to the public. At the Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN) Maritime History Archive website there are some very interesting pictures showing the life in Hooping Harbour before and after resettlement.

Used with permission from "Uncovering the Origin 0f 1001 Unique Place Names in Newfoundland and Labrador" 2021 Jennifer Leigh Hill

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